Hope for Thomas Cook in Grantham as Hays Travel buys all stores

There is hope for Thomas Cook staff in Grantham this morning after Hays Travel has agreed a deal to buy all 555 Thomas Cook stores in the UK.

As reported by the national media today, Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agent, has purchased all the Thomas Cook stores including the Grantham branch and has said it will re-employ a “significant number” of former employees.

Thomas Cook collapsed last month after failing to secure an extra £200 million in funding to prevent it from folding.

Empty planes from around the world were drafted in to bring more than 150,000 British tourists back home including a family from Grantham.

David Chapman, the Official Receiver, said: "I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Hays Travel to acquire Thomas Cook's entire UK retail estate, comprising 555 stores across the country.

"This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company's assets."

Read more: All the latest news from Grantham.